Effects of fat supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acid analysis in ponies maintained on a forage-based diet.

The study investigates the impact of adding varying amounts of fat to the diet of ponies and its effect on the levels of blood glucose, insulin, and fatty acids. The researchers found that while the fat additions changed the fatty acid composition within the ponies, it did not significantly alter glucose or insulin levels.

Study Design and Methodology

• The researchers assembled five Shetland/Hackney cross pony mares for the study, feeding them with alfalfa pellet diets supplemented with vegetable oil (a blend of soybean, canola, and corn oils).
• The diets were altered to contain different fat supplementation levels: 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% of the diet, with the ponies transitioning to a new diet every 14 days.
• The ponies were given time to adapt to the new diet within these 14 days before commencing a five-day trial period for each diet.
• Every pony received all four diets sequentially by the end of the research study.
• Blood samples were taken several times post-feeding during each trial period to measure the ponies’ plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acid levels.

Results and Findings

• The study showed no significant impact of the excess fat on the ponies’ plasma glucose or insulin levels (p > .1), indicating that the dietary changes did not affect blood sugar and insulin regulation.
• While time did not alter plasma fatty acid concentrations (p > .1), fatty acids C14:0 increased when ponies were fed a 0% fat supplement diet, while C18:2 decreased when fed the same 0% fat diet.
• Presence of certain fatty acids (C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, and C20:1) was noticeably higher in added fat diets, signifying changes in the fatty acid profile of the ponies due to the inclusion of fat.

Conclusion

• This study suggests that adding fat to a forage-based diet influences the fatty acid composition within ponies, but it does not negatively impact their plasma glucose or insulin concentrations.
• This information could help inform dietary recommendations for ponies, particularly in conditions that require a controlled insulin or glucose level.